The proposed drug reform, recently launched for consult-ation, should avoid dampening the message that “drugs kill people” and the discussion should include the rights of the unborn child, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech believes.

“We have the social responsibility of not increasing the chances of having more crack babies. If a mother is irresponsible and willing to risk the life of her unborn baby by taking drugs, it is the duty of the State to protect the rights of the child,” Mgr Grech said.

He joined Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna and Archbishop Paul Cremona who voiced concerns over the repercussions of the proposed document.

It would be better if less funds were collected for feasts than to organise events that could lead to such abuse

Published last week, the consultation document suggests cannabis users should no longer face criminal proceedings and instead be processed by a traffic-style tribunal empowered to hand out administrative fines.

Mgr Grech shared his thoughts during the homily he delivered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Gozo on Wednesday.

He reflected on the theme of purgatory saying that, traditionally, Our Lady of Mount Carmel was depicted as freeing souls from purgatory.

Some people, he said, experienced purgatory on earth through suffering. There were instances when this suffering was beyond control, but then there were cases when people fuelled people’s suffering with their actions.

He went on to give a couple of examples that included not visiting and supporting people who were battling illness. Sick people already suffered a lot and this was compounded when they were left to suffer alone.

Those who had precarious jobs were also experiencing purgatory during their lives, and society should not be indifferent to this, he said.

Gossiping and inventing lies about people to defame them caused a lot of suffering. This was even worse when the target of malicious rumours were public officials, he said, adding that anonymous letters also created a lot of pain for people.

People who became gambling victims suffered together with their families. He was not comfortable when he saw people participating in lotteries and bingo fund-raising events to satisfy their craving to gamble.

“It would be better if there were less funds collected for the feasts than to organise events that could lead to such abuse,” Mgr Grech said.